On-tool extraction works by enclosing the generation point and pulling air into the shroud fast enough to carry particles away before they escape. The system only performs when the enclosure is tight, the airflow under load is sufficient, and the air path stays smooth from shroud to filter.

How it works

The shroud creates a low-pressure zone around the wheel. Brush skirts or lips maintain a near-seal, forcing air and dust to travel into the intake. A capable industrial vacuum sustains flow despite resistance from hoses, filters, and debris. Final HEPA stages (H13/H14) are used for finer and more hazardous dusts.

Common mistakes

• Gapped shroud or wrong type for the wheel, leaving openings where dust jets out.
• Relying on free-air ratings; under-load airflow collapses with clogged filters or undersized extractors.
• Long, narrow hoses with sharp bends increasing pressure drop and starving the shroud.
• Edge door left open away from edges, breaking the enclosure.
• Over-aggressive feed rate that overwhelms the capture velocity.
• Using the wrong filter class or no HEPA on fine or carcinogenic dusts.
• Sweeping up after cutting, which re-suspends PM10, PM2.5 and finer particles.

Simple fixes

• Use the correct shroud, keep skirts intact, and close edge ports unless needed.
• Choose an extractor sized for the tool and dust load; maintain airflow under load.
• Keep hoses short and smooth; avoid tight elbows.
• Slow the cut and let the vacuum clear the kerf.
• Vacuum-only housekeeping with M or H-Class filtration; avoid compressed air.

Get enclosure, airflow, and housekeeping right and you will prevent the dust clouds that slow jobs and risk breaches of HSE limits.